Brides jilted by Angelo getting help
Pair plan bridal dress drive for customers next week
When Alfred Angelo bridal store abruptly closed its more than 60 stores nationwide on July 12, it left brides across the country without dresses and without their money back. That includes the location at ABQ Uptown.
But former Albuquerque store manager, Karen Chavez is teaming up with Stacy Blackwell, owner of New Mexico Wedding Expos & Guide to help brides who were left out in the cold.
On Thursday, at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North on San Francisco just west of Pan American Freeway, Chavez and Blackwell are holding a bridal dress drive. Women are asked to donate their old wedding dresses, and former Alfred Angelo brides can pick them up, free of charge.
“We’re hoping that we can do some good and turn this from a bad situation to one of a community showing its strength,” said Blackwell.
From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Chavez and Blackwell will be accepting donated dresses in the Atrium of the Pyramid. Then, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., they will give the dresses to brides in need in the Kokapelli room. Chavez said they will stay longer if needed, and donors are encouraged to stay and see who gets their dresses.
Brides receiving dresses will need to bring an Alfred Angelo receipt. “We just want to make sure we get the dresses to those who were hurt by the closing,” Chavez said.
Chavez said she didn’t find out about the closing until the day it happened. “We did whatever we could to get the dresses out of the store.” She told her customers with finished dresses to come get them “right away, no need to pay because it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Afterward, Chavez said she couldn’t stop thinking about the brides whose dresses hadn’t come in yet. That’s when she contacted Blackwell.
Blackwell said New Mexico Wedding Expo is planning on giving out $200 customizable gift certificates to everyone who donates, and it will hold a raffle with prizes donated by Kevin’s photography, Casa de Sueños and the Marriott Pyramid. “We want to make sure that the women giving dresses will get something in return for their generosity,” she said.
According to Blackwell more than 60 women have already expressed interest in donating. Chavez said between 75 and 100 Alfred Angelo customers did not receive their dresses.
“Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful times in one’s life. I can’t imagine what they are going through, and I would like to help ease their frustration,” Cassadra Olivas-Chavez told Blackwell.
Blackwell says that is a common sentiment among the women she has spoken with. “The only thing is, we have very few brides from Alfred Angelo,” she said. “We know they are out there!”
Chavez and Blackwell are speaking with several local charities to see about donating any unclaimed dresses.
According to the Alfred Angelo website, those who wish to be contacted regarding their order as information becomes available, email alfredangelo@mjstrustee.com to reach Margaret Smith, the company’s appointed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee.